Wordy Wednesday: An evening at the Fox

As I mentioned yesterday - during my tirade about those that don't have email - Katie's choir performed at the Fox Theatre last night. They were part of the "Larry, Carols, and Mo" evening. Larry is the Fox organist - and Mo is the Mighty Mo - one of the largest theatre organs in the country. And Carols. Well. That would be Christmas caroling. With Larry playing and the audience singing along before they showed "The Polar Express" movie.

The Fox is an incredible place. It's architecture is like a sultan's palace. Complete with a Bedouin canopy. A blue sky. Twinkling lights. And moving clouds.The choir's first performance was in the lobby. On the grand staircase.They were ready to perform as guests entered the lobby. With all the parents gathered around to listen. We kinda blocked the entrance. And blocked the kiosk of Nutcracker goods being offered for sale. But they had the most beautiful pointe shoes.

For $250.

What would you do with these gorgeous $250 pointe shoes?

After they finished singing...we marched back into the bowels of the theatre into the holding room. Practiced their song again. And then it was time to head back stage.

On the set. And backstage. Are all the props for the Nutcracker ballet. The kids were under strict orders to not touch anything. But I felt compelled to take pictures. And perhaps learn how to use my camera without the flash. I did manage to figure out how to set the aperture. Or is it the f stop? Or shutter speed? I managed to get the lighting correct. However. I couldn't tell that my photos were blurry. So you have to use your imagination a bit.

Here is Mother Ginger's skirt. Where all the kids come racing out from underneath.

And horses. For some part of the ballet. That escapes me now.

The kids get in place. The organ is going for the sing-along. The audience sings Jingle Bells. Then - O Come All Ye Faithful. And at the second verse...the curtain rises.

And the kids lead the audience in the rest of the song.

Then comes the tricky part. All the kids have to come off stage. Stay in line. And wait. Wait offstage while another chorus sings a song. And that wait. It must be in complete silence. Wrangling excited children is a challenging proposition. Because it's dark off stage. And difficult to get the kids to see my mommy look. But that was my job. And I only had to strangle a very few.

After our wait...the kids went back onstage. To sing with the adult choir. They got into position as the audience was singing about Frosty. With Larry. And Mo. And once again...the curtain rose to reveal the choirs together. And with a whole new set. And beautiful voices. And snow.

Performing at the Fox. In front of a sold out audience. What an opportunity. And what a whirlwind. I am so glad that it's over.

So...what about you? Have you ever been in a play? Performed on a stage? Gotten to go back stage? Tried to keep 45 kids in complete silence for 8 whole minutes? Entered to win this week's prize package?

Theme song: Tom Petty - The Waiting. Because. That was the hardest part.